NARI hands over foundation seeds to NSS
By Sulayman Waan
Limited access to high quality climate-smart seeds is a major challenge, limiting agricultural production and productivity in The Gambia.
Rice is the main staple food in The Gambia, which is endowed with ecologies suitable for commercial rice production but nearly 80 percent of national consumption is met through imports. This perennial problem entrenches low productivity, the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty, food and nutrition insecurity and commercialization of agriculture.
The Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV) with funding from the World Bank and Gambia Government is making progress towards addressing the persistent problem of lack of adequate high-quality climate-smart maize and rice seeds in the country. The project is driving technology transfer to increase access and adoption of improved climate-smart technologies, innovations, and advisory services adapted to the needs and scale of smallholder farmers and SMEs. The ultimate objective of the initiative is to increase productivity, surplus production for commercialization and incomes for producers, women and youth. The Technology transfer focuses on climate-smart technology packages for climate resilience and reduced GHG emissions, including high-yielding, early-maturing, drought-resistant and salt tolerance seed varieties.
The project in collaboration with CORAF, facilitates the sourcing of climate-resilient certified maize (450MT) rice (300MT) seeds to assist smallholder farmers to boost production and productivity and to engage in commercial farming. In addition, CORAF facilitated access to breeder maize and rice seeds to NARI for multiplication to produce foundation seeds.
On Tuesday July 1, 2025, NARI handed over 40kg of seven maize varieties and 25kg of two rice varieties to the National Seed Secretariat (NSS) for foundation and certified seed production.
Dr. Demba Jallow, Director General, NARI presided over the brief yet historic occasion at the NARI Headquarters in Brikama. In his remarks, he said: “Today’s event is a proud testament of the value of partnership and translation of project support into practical solutions on the ground that benefit our farmers directly. GIRAV is recognized in this”. Dr. Jallow used the occasion to praise his institution’s cordial working relationship with the NSS and advised them to take good care of the seeds.
Mr. Momodou Sabally, Seeds Officer, NSS received the seeds on behalf of the Director General of NSS. He commended GIRAV, CORAF and NARI for the achievement. He assured that NSS will multiply the quantities into foundation and certified seeds to promote wider dissemination and adoption by gallant farmers. This is indeed the right approach and direction for the attainment of national self-sufficiency in rice by 2030, he stressed.
Dr. Lamin Dibba, Director of Research at NARI underscored the importance of breeder seeds production for the maintenance of the purity of seeds varieties for the country. He used the opportunity to call for more support from projects to enable NARI to sustain its breeder Seeds programme.
Mr. Ousman M Jarju, Director of Food Chemistry and Aflatoxin Research Directorate, who doubles as the GIRAV Focal Point at NARI, also reiterated the importance of research in the quest to achieve increased yields and national food security.
SW/COB/04/07/25
